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People are more actively pursuing wellness than ever before and health professionals, across various industries, are responding to the demand.
More than ever before, people of all ages appear to be taking a more active role in achieving and maintaining good health and well-being. The health industry is responding as experts, from doctors and scientists to nutritionists and therapists, work diligently to foster awareness and education, research effective treatments - old and new, and offer the most advanced care possible.
Additionally, it is becoming more commonplace for people to resort to a “toolbox” approach to healthcare, or consider alternative therapies or complementary treatments. The advent of the Internet is irrefutably aiding this effort. As a result, some medical professionals are collaborating with non-medical professionals, or adding nonmedical services to their repertoire, while other medical professionals are focused on expanding their offerings of the latest scientific and cutting edge technologies.
According to historians, Hippocrates, considered the “Father of Medicine” and the creator of the code of medical ethics followed by physicians today (the Hippocratic Oath), believed that the body should be treated as a whole and not simply as a series of parts. Also, while he maintained a view that all illnesses had a physical and rational explanation, he also promoted the natural healing attributes of rest, healthy diet, clean air and good hygiene. Hippocrates’ findings and philosophies are centuries old, yet are finding a seemingly new and more prominent place in our modern quest for wellness.
On this note, lines between some health issues are blurring as practitioners uncover commonalities or connections. Take dental health, for example. In the past, regular visits to the dentist were deemed necessary in order to prevent tooth loss and decay and stave off gum disease. Today, some studies have suggested that bacteria in the mouth can negatively impact the heart, or that maintaining good dental health can help people avoid heart disease – even more reason to brush regularly and have regular check-ups.
Also, in regards to dental care, the application of devices such as braces was once considered by many to be a more cosmetic treatment – used solely to enhance appearance. Today, many understand that a more attractive smile can help boost self-esteem, but also that the benefits of braces extend beyond just having a nicer smile.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better.”
By using braces to restore proper and healthy alignment of teeth, dental professionals can help patients enjoy a healthier mouth and possibly find relief from conditions such as “TMJ,” or Temporo-Mandibular Joint syndrome, for example. Newer technologies, such as “InvisAlign,” make it possible for patients to enjoy tooth straightening and are is more comfortable and less visible.
Advanced technologies are also playing a critical role in identifying diseases such as breast cancer. According to experts, some studies show that MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be a very beneficial tool, offering a great deal of value beyond mammography and ultrasound.
In these studies, MRI scans were reportedly found to be more effective than ultrasound and mammograms at finding invasive cancers early when they are very small and easier to treat. While mammography was found to be better at identifying minor calcifications – associated with non-invasive cancers, MRI was reportedly more effective at identifying multiple breast cancer sites in the same breast. The studies also suggest that both types of screening should be considered useful and complementary.
The introduction of new, high-tech drugs is making it possible for doctors to offer patients more options for battling disease or alleviating pain. While doctors are increasingly educating patients about the importance of diet and exercise, new drugs, such as those used to treat high cholesterol, for example, may be lifesaving for patients who are not willing to adhere to healthy eating and a fitness regime, or who suffer from disease in spite of concerted efforts to live a healthier lifestyle.
Amidst all the high-tech treatments, however, today’s medical industry is also embracing treatments which may, at first glance, seem archaic or unusual. In some cases, doctors have been known to incorporate blood-sucking leeches, maggots or special mineral rich clays found to have disease fighting capabilities.
Clay treatments, used since Roman times, are often associated with rejuvenating facial masks and spas, but microbiologist Shelley Haydel and geochemist Lynda Williams are, thanks to grants from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institute of Health), have researched the antibacterial properties of clays for use as a future therapy. The two decided to study smectite clay after they learned of documented cases where it had been used to heal Buruli ulcer, which is related to leprosy and tuberculosis. Some experts suggest that the clay could become a modern day penicillin.
Spas have long promoted the benefits of services such as clay wraps and other natural treatments. Additionally, while spas were once viewed as luxury retreats reserved for the well-to-do, the boom of facilities has made spa treatments more accessible and appreciated. No longer regarded as frivolous or special occasion ‘treats,’ services such as massages, facials and others are increasingly being considered ‘must-haves,’ and services vital to well-being, relaxation and a higher quality of life. In fact, developers of new hotels, recognizing the increase in vacationers interested in resorts with spas, are incorporating spas into their designs. Many existing hotels and resorts are also spending millions in renovations to add spa facilities.
According to spa industry studies, the rise in partnerships between some spas and doctors, from dentists to dermatologists, is due to requests from guests who are savvier and busier than ever. They want to feel and look great and want to avoid running around to multiple facilities. Imagine getting your annual physical, a face enhancing treatment and stress reduction service all in one office.
Everywhere you look, it seems that the division between health industries is becoming less defined than in the past. People are more educated and more interested than ever in obtaining and maintaining health and wellness, and are willing to consider a variety of treatments. Health and wellness professionals, likewise, are working harder and smarter than ever to meet public demand and offer the most advanced and diverse tools available.
Thanks to the abundance of highly qualified experts in the Lowcountry, from spa professionals to medical doctors, local residents and visitors have convenient access to a world-class ‘toolbox’ of health-related professionals and services. Meet some of the best on the following pages.
